Amusement park attractions, amusement karts, and magnetic assemblies

Abstract

Sets of magnet assemblies coupled to the undercarriage of an amusement kart are provided. Each of the magnet assemblies can include: a suspension component coupled to the undercarriage; magnetic material coupled to the suspension component; and a rotating component coupled to the suspension component. Other sets of magnet assemblies can include a skid component coupled to the suspension component. Amusement park attractions are provided that can include: an amusement kart having one or more magnet assemblies coupled to an undercarriage of the amusement kart; and a track comprising iron plating sufficient to magnetically engage the one or more magnet assemblies. Amusement karts are also provided that can include: a frame supported by front and rear wheels; and complimentary side rails extending along both sides of the frame and between the front and rear wheels.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A passenger operated amusement kart vehicle, the amusement kart vehicle comprising:
 an open amusement kart vehicle frame supported by wheels operably engaged to matriculate the amusement kart vehicle about an amusement kart vehicle track comprising at least some portions of magnetic material; 
 a steering mechanism operably associated with at least some of the wheels; 
 a passenger seat supported by the frame and operably engaged with a passenger restraint system; 
 a braking assembly operably aligned with the passenger seat and operable to brake at least one of the wheels; 
 a set of magnet assemblies, each magnetic assembly individually associated with an individual wheel and operably coupled to the frame via a suspension component; 
 magnetic material coupled to the suspension component; and 
 a rotating component coupled to the suspension component. 
 
     
     
       2. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the suspension component comprises a leaf spring. 
     
     
       3. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the suspension component comprises at least one spring engaging the open amusement kart vehicle frame. 
     
     
       4. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic material is rectangular in at least one cross section. 
     
     
       5. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic material is circular in at least one cross section. 
     
     
       6. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the rotating component is lateral of the magnetic material. 
     
     
       7. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the rotating component comprises a hinge. 
     
     
       8. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the rotating component comprises a tube member about a shaft. 
     
     
       9. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a skid component coupled to the suspension component. 
     
     
       10. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the suspension component comprises a spring extending between the skid component and the undercarriage of the kart. 
     
     
       11. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the magnetic material is housed within the skid component. 
     
     
       12. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 9  further comprising a hinge assembly operatively coupling the suspension component to the skid component. 
     
     
       13. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 12  wherein the hinge assembly comprises at least one member pivotably attached to both the suspension component and the skid component. 
     
     
       14. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 12  wherein the hinge assembly comprises at least four members wherein each member is pivotably attached to both the suspension component and the skid component. 
     
     
       15. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the steering mechanism comprises a steering wheel operably aligned with the passenger seat. 
     
     
       16. The passenger operated amusement kart vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the open amusement kart vehicle frame defines opposing side rails, each aligned lateral of the passenger seat.